The Genus ChamaecristaFamily Fabaceae

This is a large genus of herbaceous plants with a range around the world. I can find references to species native to Africa, Asia, North America, and South America. They are used for green manure and livestock forage. None is widely cultivated as a garden plant but a few species may be grown in wildflower gardens. According to one reference, ten or more species are native to the Coastal Southeast. Two species (C. fasciculata and C. nicitans) attract ants to extrafloral nectaries (nectar-secreting organs on leaves or stems.) The ants help protect the plant from predation. The genus is closely related to Cassia and Senna. The three genera have been lumped together into Cassia in the recent past. Presently, Cassia species tend to be trees. They have seed pods that do not split and seeds that are flattened in the pod from top to bottom. Senna species may be shrubs or trees. Their seed pods split lengthwise and the seeds are flattened front to back. Chamaecrista tend to be herbaceous plants and small shrubs with seed pods that split lengthwise and curl back to release mature seeds.The bean family, Fabaceae, is one of the largest of the plant families. It is characterized by seed pods that are known to botanists as legumes. This is a large family that includes many important economic crop genera, including peanut (Arachis,) soybean (Glycine,) alfalfa (Medicago) and beans (Phaseolus.) Ornamental garden plants include orchid tree (Bauhinia,) redbud (Cercis,) coral tree (Erythrina,) lupine (Lupinus) and black locust (Robinia.)

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Chamaecrista fasciculata

partridge peaThis is an annual wildflower with relatively large, bright yellow flowers. It grows to twelve to eighteen inches tall. Sulfur butterfly larvae feed on these plants. It can volunteer rather aggressively in open areas but is controlled easily with hand pulling or mowing.It is a great plant for a sunny to partly sunny wildflower garden. I have not seen zone recommendations but it is reported to range naturally from Wisconsin to southern Florida. This plant is uncommon in native plant nurseries but may be found in catalogs. Plants are grown easily from nicked seeds.My plants begin to appear as seedlings as early as mid-March. They start flowering as early as mid-May and continue into November. Then, they die as the last seeds mature, usually before frosts in November. This plant spread rapidly across my yard in a few years after I introduced it. Before it became a nuisance, it's population stabilized at a moderate level.

Chamaecrista nicitans

Chamaecrista nicitans

slender sensitive peaThis is a naturally occurring, annual wildflower that grows to about six to twelve inches tall. The plant and its leaves are smaller than C. fasciculata. The yellow flowers are much smaller than C. fasciculata (a flower is in the center of the photo above.) It is a host for sulfur butterfly larvae, too. Its small flowers are not exciting but it has an attractive texture and form. It should be encouraged where it occurs naturally for the butterflies. Plants are easy to pull when they appear in the wrong place. It ranges naturally from Wisconsin to central Florida. I have not seen this plant for sale. Plants are grown easily from nicked seeds.They are summer annuals in open, unmowed areas in sun and part shade.They appear as seedlings in mid- to late March. They have small flowers September and October. Then, they die in late November and early December. I considered this to be a rather unassuming wildflower until a plant volunteered in a container one spring. The purchased annuals that I was trying were uninspiring so I left the volunteer. In a container of good potting soil with regular watering, it covered the container and its branches of delicate foliage arched gracefully over the edge almost to the ground. I will make a point of using this plant in a container again.